A man went to a Dundee MP’s surgery and threatened to burn the governor of Perth Prison with cigarettes and cut him into pieces, Dundee Sheriff Court has heard.
Gary Hay, 36, of Ancrum Court, made the comments to Dundee West MP Jim McGovern during a visit to his surgery in Lochee Library.
Hay appeared in court on Friday having previously pleaded guilty to communicating threats of violence against the governor of Perth Prison, Mike Inglis.
Depute fiscal Beverly Adam told the court: “He provided his details and started to show him his hands which appeared to have sores on them.
“He then showed marks on his body he said was the skin condition psoriasis.
“He had been in Perth Prison on a number of occasions and had been due to receive treatment but was transferred out of prison before that could take place.
“He thought this was a deliberate attempt by the governor to stop him receiving treatment.”
The court then heard Hay went on to say he felt the governor should be sacked and then made comments that worried Mr McGovern.
Ms Adam said: “The accused said the governor should be sacked but most of all he would like to tie the governor to a chair and burn him with cigarettes so that both their bodies would look the same.
“He went on to say he would untie the governor and cut him into little pieces and for that he would be quite happy to serve a life sentence.”
The court heard by this time Hay was becoming agitated and aggressive and Mr McGovern asked whether Hay had sought any compensation.
Hay said that “wasn’t the point” and if he did receive any money he would use it to pay someone to top the governor.
Ms Adam continued: “He went on to explain he knew about meetings the governor attended and said he goes to the locations of these meetings and keeps out of sight.”
When Mr McGovern said he would need some time to investigate the matter, Hay’s response was, “You better make sure you keep in touch with me,” the court heard.
He also admitted a breach of the peace when, with another accused, he followed a man into a shop and made threats against a man who sealed himself against a store room to avoid them.
Defence solicitor Anika Jethwa said that Hay’s complaint against the Scottish Prison Service had been upheld and he had received an apology back in 2011.
She said since then there had been a downturn in Hay’s mental health but he was making progress and has an appointment with a psychiatrist.
Sheriff Davidson said he wanted Hay to have a forensic psychiatric report but the fastest way for him to be seen was if he was remanded in custody until February 14.